Ban Smoking in Cars When Kids Are Present

Re “Stub Out This Intrusive Bill,” editorial, June 26: In criticizing a measure to protect our youngest children from the deadly effects of breathing secondhand smoke, The Times engaged in the type of simplistic, knee-jerk conduct it often criticizes. The research and public health communities agree that secondhand smoke causes serious, life-threatening illnesses, such as asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia and SIDS, in our youngest children. Existing law prohibits a person from smoking within 25 feet of a playground, justifying further restrictions on smoking near children.

Though not the entire solution to protecting our children from secondhand smoke, prohibiting smoking in cars when they are present is common sense, easy to implement and undoubtedly would result in better health outcomes. The bill would apply only when a child was riding in a car seat, thereby allowing police to determine relevant conditions to justify enforcement action. The bill would delay implementation by one year to educate drivers about the dangers posed to children as well as the impending prohibition. The measure would make the first violation a warning rather than a fine. The intent is to change behavior rather than simply to sanction drivers.

Marco Antonio Firebaugh

Assemblyman, D-Los Angeles